Your Animation Struggle!
Tell me about your animation struggle and I'll help you resolve it and share the experience with everyone!
Many Animators have their own struggle when creating animation. That is why I am reaching out to all animators who needs some advise and coaching in order to improve their own animation.
If you like me to help, feel free to email me your animation struggle in detail. It will be even better if you can include your animation play blast or screenshot so I can provide a more accurate advise.
Identify Overlapping Action In Character Animation
Recently, I received an email from a fellow animator. She request for some advise on overlapping action (follow through). Overlapping action can be challenging, especially in character animation. This is because applying overlapping action involves timing, correct poses and staggering animation with other segments. I've created 5 videos to help explain this challenge thoroughly. Exclusive Bonus Material : Download '15 Steps To Productive Animation Sequence' How To Identify Overlapping Action? In my ebook, I talked about the fundamental of overlapping action. It helps beginners to grasp the concept using basic seaweed example. However, complex animation, such as character movement, requires deeper understanding in human's mechanics. I recommended her to read my character animation case study, which I explained more on humanoid's motion. I've also shared my initial animation planning before developing my character animation. Sometimes words and images might not necessary provide sufficient understanding. Thus, I requested her to provide me with her video reference, which she plans to animate. Different action has different approach in applying principle of animation. By analysing her reference video, I'll be able to provide a 'make to order' explanation. So here are the two videos which she planned to animate. First is a person performing a karate kick. Second is a person jumping over a vault. I recorded my response and organised them into 5 short videos. The 5 videos will talk about: 1. Addressing the overlapping issue 2. Referencing tip for animation 3. Analysing video reference 4. Demonstration using Maya for animation tips on FK/IK 5. My recommended productive animation sequence Video 1/5: Animation Struggle On Follow Through and... read more
Animation Student Feeling Demotivated
Recently an animation student emailed me regarding his struggle. He has created his demo reel and yet, he is feeling lost. I must say that he's demo reel is pretty decent for a graduate. Have you felt like him before, feeling demotivated? How did you move on from there? I've took some time and given him my advise. I'm so glad I did, because my email not only helped him, but made my day as well! Animation Student's Struggle Shekhar recently completed his animation demo reel, which includes acting, walking, athlete action and more. I've watched the demo reel and I find it good enough to find a job in the animation industry. However, Shekhar seems to be demoralised. He felt that he hasn't been improving even after completing his demo reel. Here's what he wrote to me: He has problem in a few areas: 1. Unsure of how to improve his animation 2. Feeling demoralised 3. Financially unable to take up more animation lessons to improve I am sure these are not only Shekhar's problem, but to many students as well. Personally, I experienced this issue as well when I was starting out in animation. There is no way the school would put in extra time to help students to improve. For the obvious reason that they only teach what they are suppose to teach. So how exactly can Shekhar overcome his problem? My Advise For Animation Student It's only three options I can advise: practice, Practice and PRACTICE! Skills can only be improved when we continue to practice it. It is very similar to building muscles.... read more
Animation Case Study: Fat Character Pushing Box
A pushing box animation exercise demonstrates the appropriate application of forces. This test a student's eye for detail and understanding of forces in order to create a realistic animation. Thanks to Shekhar for sharing his animation case study on fat character pushing box practice with me. I'm very happy to provide him with 4 tips to improve on his fat character pushing box animation. Animation Case Study: Fat Character Pushing Box Here is the play blast of the animation. My suggestions are: 1. The general animation looks ok, it seems like a heavy character pushing a light weight box. Understanding the actual intention of an animation is important because if the message is visually unclear, the viewers will be mislead. The visual message of an animation is usually the first thing I look at when reviewing an animation. The intention of an animation or an acting is crucial because it will bring across the proper storytelling of the story. The best way to unbiasely review an animation is to try to imagine if the model is not a fat character and ask myself, "will this animation still gives me the same message?" In this case, it is a yes for me and I'll move on. 2. Consider giving some consideration to the box and the character, e.g, a heavy box or a light box. A strong character or a weak character. Back to the basic, we always assume we are animating a character or an object without the physical look. In this way, we watch the motion without any expectation. This suggestion is to help to improve our own... read more
Animation Timing and Spacing Problem
This post comes from Shekhar and he shared his animation timing and spacing problem with me over the email. I split the questions into two parts for a better understanding. 1. Timing and Spacing Problem 1. Hi, I'am a beginner in animation. In this early stage I'am facing problem of timing and spacing in my animation. When I block the main poses I feel "yes, the timing okay! I can move on, for in-betweens" but when I'am done with inbetweens most of the time I realize "this pirticular part should have been much more quicker or not so quicker!" This is a very common animation timing and spacing problem faced by new animators. Here are my advise for him: Yes, in blocking phase, it is usually not as accurate as the final animation. Blocking phase is mainly to allow animators and directors to review if the story telling element is flowing smoothly. Experienced animators could have grasp a better timing during blocking phase. As an artist, we always strive to look for improvement. I think it is good that you have this attitude to continue to refine and improve your existing animation. One tip that could help to improve the blocking timing would be to compare it with a reference video. This video could be from YouTube or most of the time, animators will act out the scene themselves for their own references. Do use play blast to watch your animation and the reference video side by side and compare for any differences. You can also download my Animation Cheat Sheet for Beginners to help you do a check on your progress during your... read moreUseful Resources
About Nash Lin
Nash is a self taught animator, a fanatic gamer and a digital media coach. He has created many types of 2D and 3D animation. You will get to learn effective animation skills and tips with Nash. Continue reading...
